Two of California’s national parks are reopening. Here’s what you can and can’t do
Two of California’s national parks are starting to reopen after the coronavirus pandemic shut them down.
Joshua Tree National Park announced that it began reopening access to some parts of the park Sunday, according to a National Park Service news release.
All park entrances, road and parking lots are open, and visitors can use trails, family campsites and some bathroom facilities, the park said.
Visitor centers and group campsites will remain closed, according to the park. Entrance station booths will also not be staffed. All national parks have waived entrance fees amid the coronavirus pandemic, McClatchy News reported.
“With the lower summertime visitation numbers in mind, we have worked closely with the health offices in both San Bernardino and Riverside Counties to ensure that the type of recreation at Joshua Tree is in line with current health advisories,” park Superintendent David Smith said in the news release. “By opening the park in phases, we plan on being able to take measured steps that ensure the safety of our staff and visitors while providing increased access to our National Park. “
Some loop trails will be one-way only, the park said. Park officials also recommend visiting and camping with members from your household only.
The park said all guests should bring hand sanitizer, a mask and other items to stay clean because there are no hand-sanitizing stations and most restroom facilities do not have running water.
“While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited,” the park said. “When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders from San Bernardino County and Riverside County, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding, and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.”
Redwood National Park had also opened all national park trails, except for Tall Trees Grove, according to a park news release. Scenic drives and Freshwater Beach are also open within the park.
“Reminder: California currently has stay-at-home orders in place. Please only travel if necessary,” the park said in a news release. “Restrooms, parking lots, and visitor centers are currently closed. Please bring everything you need and pack out everything you bring.”
Other California parks — including Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Death Valley — remain closed.
This story was originally published May 18, 2020 at 3:18 PM with the headline "Two of California’s national parks are reopening. Here’s what you can and can’t do."